Epic THAI MEATBALLS!!! Made with pork or chicken, the brilliant Thai flavour of these will have everyone convinced you picked them up from one of those posh Thai restaurants.
Served with a Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce, these are seriously tasty!! If you’re in the mood for a Thai Banquet, try these Thai Meatballs with a side of Chicken Satay and Thai Fried Rice!
Thai Meatballs
You can mix together mince with coriander/cilantro, garlic and a dash of soy and get away with calling that Thai. And they will be ok(ish). But if you want some Thai Meatballs that are seriously delicious, and really truly do taste real-deal Thai, then you’re going to need the help of a few more things.
I think you’ll be familiar with most of the ingredients in these meatballs, except perhaps this one – Kaffir Lime Leaves.
Now, before you run around town trying to hunt these down in an Asian store, let me just stress this fact: yes it adds a little something-something that is so authentically posh-Thai-restauranty, but it isn’t mandatory!!
These are still smashing meatballs even without kaffir lime leaves. 🙂
Kaffir lime leaves aren’t from normal lime trees, they are different. They smell limey but more earthy. They are plonked in whole into curries / soups / coconut rice to infuse with flavour, or finely chopped as pictured above. Cut out the stem, roll it up like a cigar, then finely slice (cause they are kind of tough, got to chop ’em finely).
They cost a few dollars for 20 or so, and they freeze so well! I use them in a handful of recipes and I’ve linked them in the notes for you.
What goes in Thai Meatballs
In addition to the optional Kaffir lime leaves, these Thai Meatballs have all the other usual Thai-flavour suspects:
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plenty of garlic, ginger, chillies
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coriander/cilantro
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lemongrass
-
fish sauce (or soy, if you really insist)
Just give them mix and you have yourself some seriously tasty meatballs.
How to cook them – because they’re so lovely and soft, they are kind of hard to pan fry. So I bake these. They hold their shape and are golden on the outside, and juicy on the inside!
Make a meal out of it – serve these on the side!
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Steamed Jasmine rice, Thai Fried Rice, Pineapple Fried Rice or Coconut Rice
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Crunchy Asian Slaw on the side – great all rounder Asian salad that goes with all Asian foods
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Asian Sesame Dressing for any fresh salad or steamed vegetables
Sweet Chilli Dipping sauce for Thai Meatballs
I totally cheat with the dipping sauce. I just doctor up sweet chilli sauce with some garlic and lime juice.
In case you really want to go all out, I’ve included the recipe for a homemade Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce (which is pictured in the photo right at the top). But I don’t usually bother, if I’m really honest. 🙂
Because…. well, want to know the truth? I figure the meatballs themselves are impressive enough as it is and people don’t really notice the dipping sauce. 😉
Make these for dinner or serve them at a party. Either way, you will be a hero! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Be warned of close encounter with Baby Hands. Also – Dozer fans – don’t miss his little cameo at the end of the recipe video. I swear, one day a pelican is going to turn around and give him a big peck!!
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Thai Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 500 g / 1 lb pork mince (ground pork, or chicken)
- 1 tbsp lemongrass paste (or finely chopped fresh) (Note 1)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 3 kaffir lime leaves, stem removed and very finely shredded, optional extra (Note 2)
- 3 Thai or birds eye chillies , seeds removed and finely chopped (Note 3)
- 1/4 cup coriander/cilantro , leaves and stem finely chopped (Note 4)
- 1 tsp sugar (any)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (can sub with soy sauce if required)
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (+ extra 1/4 cup if needed)
- 1 small egg
- Oil spray
Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml sweet chilli sauce , store bought (Note 5)
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 2 tbsp lime juice , plus more to taste
Optional garnishes & serving:
- Coriander/cilantro leaves , finely sliced large red chillies
- Steamed jasmine rice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C/430F (standard) or 200C/390F (fan / convection).
- Place a rack on a tray (optional, rack keeps balls slightly rounder).
- Place Meatball ingredients in a bowl (except oil spray), mix well with your hands. Only use extra breadcrumbs if necessary - sometimes, chicken mince can be quite wet. Scoop up 1 slightly heaped tablespoon and roll into a ball (about 3cm / 1.25" diameter). (Note 6 for my way)
- Spray rack well with oil and place the meatballs on the rack.
- Spray meatballs generously with oil, then bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until a bit browned. They should be beautifully soft - see video!
- Serve warm with Sauce, garnished with coriander and chillies if desired.
Sauce:
- Place ingredients in a bowl and mix. Set aside for at least 10 minutes before using.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More Thai food recipes
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Pad Thai and Pad See Ew
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Starters – Chicken Satay and Thai Fish Cakes
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Browse the Thai recipe collection
Life of Dozer
He’s really looking forward to tomorrow (Halloween).
Really.
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Can you put a liquid like chicken broth on them in a warming crock pot so they dont dry out, or would use something else?
Hi Nagi! Awesome meatballs, I made them for dinner over stirfried veggies, with the sauce on top. Yum! Thank you! Big hugs for you and Mr. Dozer Pup xoxo -Amber J
Made as written with ground chicken. Kudos to Central Market in Austin, Texas for having the ingredients. When looking for panko breadcrumbs, I was so excited to see that one brand came from Japan. When I got home I realized what a flake I was for accidentally buying flakes instead of crumbs. (Not sure if it made a difference.) For me, I think the addition of salt would have really made the flavors pop. Next time I’ll try it with pork and a sprinkle sprankle of salt.
So glad you enjoyed this! And yes to adding salt if you want it saltier! N x
Hi Nagi, I just love your blog and your easy to follow instructions. I read that these meatballs can be prepared ahead and frozen raw, but can I prepare them in the morning, keep them in the fridge, and then cook them that evening?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Cathy! Sure thing, that will work great 🙂 So glad you’re enjoying my recipes! N x
Wow!! These meatballs were divine and my first time using Kafir lime leaves. Amazing. Ate way too many meatballs.
That’s terrific to hear Steven! So glad you enjoyed this, thank you for letting me know! N x
Hi Nagi
Have had Thai Meatballs at quite a few catered functions and these were just as good if not better. Very tasty. Served them with fried rice with the dipping sauce on the side. Excellent meal and easy to prepare.
That’s terrific to hear David! So glad you enjoyed this, thank you for letting me know! N x
Hi Nagi, Made these and yum so delicious you are just fabulous with all these wonderful delicious recipes. I usually do a couple of yours a week but cannot find the Chilli and garlic sauce to go with that Thai chicken Salad , Woolworths don’t have it but have not tried Coles as yet or is it only available in Asian shops ??
Also love seeing Dozer as we just looked after to Goldies last week they are such a pleasure and always have a smile to greet you with. Cheers
HI Kristine! I was sure I got it at Woolies?? But that’s ok, honestly, Sriracha or another hot sauce is a great sub. I doubt I could pick the difference in flavour. Especially Sriracha which is basically the same ingredients, the only difference is that it’s smooth whereas Chilli Garlic sauce has bits of chilli in it. Which means the sriracha dressing is slightly redder which will look even more amazing (come to think of it, it will probably emulsify better too 🙂 ) N x
Hi Nagi, so far I have loved everyone of you recipes that I’ve tried, but I have to ask, is the fish sauce more than salty enough to make up for the lack of adding salt to the recipe?
I’m just about to make these delicious sounding meatballs and don’t want to cook the morning to find out that they aren’t seasoned enough. I’m guessing they will be as perfect as all your other recipes since nobody else has asked this question .
Hi Karen!! Fish sauce is all the salt you will need in this 🙂 If you have a salty palette, add 1 extra teaspoon which is actually what I originally did but felt it was too salty so I cut it back. Hope you love it! N xx
hi Nagi,
Made those. All gone in a minute b my 55yo baby dinosaur!! Thanks for great recipes- Always!
That’s great to hear YN, thanks for sharing your feedback! N x ❤️
These just disappeared in record time! Yummmm!
HIGH FIVE!!! N x
Hi Nagi,
It’s the green hair that did it for me along with Dozer’s face of course. I couldn’t stop smiling and giggling at him. I’m so glad you shared that picture, well all pictures.
I just made the Thai meatballs using pork and they were delicious. How nice to pickup lemongrass flavor (never had that before) and ginger along with the rest. My biggest surprised was the cilantro. Up until now I was not fond of it but in this dish it made a very very very pleasant flavor. No more insecurity when asked to bring a dish. Oh, I did not get to make the sauce because it was already late when I made these, but I will. You’re right the jar sauce does need to be doctored up or need no sauce at all.
Thanks for this recipe.
I was sniggering the whole time when I took those photos!!! And I’m so pleased you enjoyed these meatballs, THANK YOU for letting me know! N xx
Nagi,
I am now convinced you are my culinary soulmate – Hainanese chicken, sausie rolls, Maccas sausage and egg muffins, anything satay, and now Thai meatballs (which a restaurant up the road from us back home in Melbourne used to do – sadly the place shut up shop in 2014 but I haven’t stopped looking for a decent recipe for them).
I’ll be giving these a go tomorrow.
BTW my kids have been asking for the sausage rolls, especially the eldest who still remembers Oz. She was asking if I could find a recipe for “little boys” sausages with tomato sauce but that might be a tad difficult 😉
On a different note, you haven’t got a good char kway teow recipe do you? That’s one I miss and the recipes I’ve tried don’t come close to what you’d get back in the southern hemisphere.
Once again a big thank you Nagi and keep the great recipes coming.
Tim
You’re so welcome Tim!!! Now you’re reading MY mind – I have Hainanese Chicken on my list, I even bought my own cleaver especially for it!!! Char Kway Teow is also on my list, the reason I am hesitating is because that char grilled flavour is impossible to recreate at home 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi
The recipe for the Thai meatballs sounds absolutely wonderful. Could you serve them cold for a picnic?
How did Dozer survive Halloween? He is adorable.
He survived JUST FINE! 😂 These really are better served warm, the fresh herb flavours “bloom” when warm. N xx
Hi Rasa
I don’t like pork and for religious reasons
I don’t always find ground chicken at my grocery store.
Would be beef be too heavy a flavor?Also what % of fat for the beef would you recommend.
Recommendations for lemongrass and kaffir leaves?
Thanks
Laynie in Denver, CO USA
Hi Laynie! I do think that beef would be slightly strong but it will still be extremely tasty! The amount of flavourings in this are still suitable for using beef. I would use a lean beef, so a lower fat %. 🙂
Hi Nahi
Great. I bought 93% lean.
I will have to check a spice store if they have tried. Don’t want to buy too much. Money is tight now.
Thank you
I meant suggestions of substitution for lemongrass and kaffir leaves?
Hi Laynie! Can you get dried of either of them? Makes it pretty hard if you don’t use either of them!
Would lemon zest and lemon juice be good as a substitution?
Yes they will be adequate but it will taste quite different to what it is intended!! However, zest of 1 lime + 1/2 a lemon would be my best guess 🙂
OMG, Nagi! I nearly choked on my homemade coffee latte 3 times this morning while laughing at Dozer. The first was your tale of Dozer’s “shameful” behavior at the BBQ. Then I watch your meatball video and at the end I see Dozer struggling to get the at the pelican. I thought I was done laughing, but then I scroll down and see Dozer in his halloween costume and by then I am laughing uncontrollably. He is so adorably cute though! Thanks for always sharing Dozer’s antics. He always gets my mornings started with a smile, but today was the best!
Oh, and not to forget the yummy looking meatballs. My husband loves meatballs and he also loves sauces. He will LOVE this recipe!
3 out of 3 – Dozer home run!!! 😂
Kaffir leaves, go figure. I’d have never thought of that. Must try this one. Maybe I’ll make Thai meatball skewers and give’m a cook on the Barbie.
You know, if you guys would build a ramp from the water up to the dock, I think Dozer could nab one of those pelicans.
Pelican stew…?? 😂
Silly me! I actually Googled it! Yes. recipes available . . . . Unless you want to feel sick do not look at the answers . . . . nought to do with pelican btw . . . .
😳
Hi Nagi I just stumbled upon your video and recipe for thai meatballs..so wonderful.I laughed my head off at Dozer I have an English springer spaniel who is as crazy as dozer and he COUNTER SURFS THE KITCHEN TO STEAL FOOD..had a BBQ THIS SUMMER HE STOLE 3 HAMBURGERS RIGHT OFF THE BBQ TABLE we have a lot in common. Cheers and thanks for the fab recipe Gillian (from Toronto canada)
Cheeky pup!!!! At least your spaniel would cause a lot less chaos than Dozer if he counter surfed!!! N x
Making the meatballs Nov 18. with one eye on my springer Luca
😂
Hi Nagi, I recently found out I can’t eat egg (breastfeeding my bub who is allergic to egg). If I took out the egg, would the meatballs still be intact? I’ve made your rissoles recipe (with egg, before I found out about the allergy) and absolutely loved it!!
Hi Coleen! Yep it will, reduce the breadcrumbs down to 1/2 cup and mix well for 2 minutes 🙂 This is the “Asian” way to make meatballs, they are a bit firmer but still juicy inside. N x
Oh sugar, I am still laughing my head off about Dozer at the picnic! Can’t think straight enough to write sense!! But, listen boyo, most things are fair enough but not the snatch off a bub’s hot dog!! Ok?? Love the meatballs . . . wonder how some do eat the ‘ordinary’ ones instead . . . utterly boring . . .
I KNOW I KNOW!!! Disgraceful!! 😂
BBQ sounds BIG SUCCESS FOR ALL EACH AND EVERYONE, BIG. AND SMALL! Kids and animals know how to be happy, Bravo! Meat balls are Delicious!! Thank you. Halloween Dozer NOT SCARE AT ALL….
Success for Dozer, that’s for sure! 😂